The Department for Education have identified Level 2 and Level 3 Stonemasonry as two of the qualifications they will cease to publicly fund from 1 August 2021. This means that providers will no longer be able to offer this funded provision for apprenticeships or full time students.

Stonemasonry is a specialist skill required to enable craftsmen and women to use traditional methods and skills to help maintain and restore our country's built heritage.

This is an essential skill to enable us to ensure the upkeep of ancient buildings such as the many cathedrals, churches, abbeys, castles, stately homes, royal palaces, ancient walls, etc in our country. Think about our most iconic historic buildings like York Minster, Lincoln Cathedral, Chatsworth House, Tower of London etc. It is stonemasons who are the specialist craftspeople who can carefully repair and maintain these wonderful buildings!

The removal of funding for the NVQ qualification will not only impact further on the present skills shortage for this sector but will also impact on other industry sectors such hospitality and tourism.

There are only a small number of colleges across the country who train Stonemasons and offer these qualifications. There is already a skills shortage for these job roles and the removal of the qualification will mean the Stonemason role will cease.

Without Stonemasons what will happen to England's glorious heritage, that as a country we are so famous for worldwide.

Please help by signing this petition, and lets help save stonemasonry!!